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Entrepreneurs for Impact

#212: Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures – Investing Billions in Climate Tech. Financing First-of-a-Kind Facilities. Supporting Biogenic Carbon Removal. Leading with Mindfulness.

Jan 23, 2025
Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures, brings extensive expertise from top firms like Tesla and Genentech. He discusses climate tech investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of strong teams and scalable technologies. Eggers explains creative financing solutions for innovative facilities and highlights exciting carbon capture approaches, such as Graphyte. He also shares personal habits for leaders, stressing how outdoor activities and mindfulness can enhance focus and well-being in tackling climate challenges.
50:12

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Prelude Ventures emphasizes investing in strong teams and scalable technologies to drive early-stage climate tech startups toward significant market growth.
  • Matt Eggers advocates for personal well-being practices like meditation and outdoor activities to enhance leadership effectiveness in the climate tech sector.

Deep dives

Venture Capital Suitability

Some companies are deemed unsuitable for venture capital despite being fundamentally good businesses because they do not align with the venture model. For a startup to be considered venture-backable, it typically needs the potential to yield substantial returns, often aimed at achieving a 10x return on investment. This implies that a company initially valued at $10 million should ideally grow to $100 million, considering dilution, often resulting in valuations between $300 million to $500 million. Such rapid growth and capital efficiency are essential; otherwise, companies might be better off pursuing alternative funding models that align more closely with their growth trajectories.

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